The Standard Organisation of Nigeria (SON) says allegations made by the Iron Rod and Steel Distributors Employers Union of Nigeria (IRSDEUN) against the agency, are” unfounded and without merit.”
Industrial Times learned that the iron rod and steel distributors Union, recently accused SON of ineffectiveness in curbing the circulation of substandard products in the Nigerian markets.
However, SON, in a quick reactions, declared its commitment to upholding quality standards that would safeguard consumers’ interests and promote Nigeria’s economic development.
In a statement, titled “SON Remains Steadfast in its Commitment to Safeguarding Consumer Interests and Promoting Economic Development Through Standardisation in the Iron and Steel Sector,” signed by its Director of Public Relations, Mrs. Foluso Bolaji, the agency said that contrary to the claims made by the IRSDEUN, SON’s investigations and stringent monitoring mechanisms revealed a different reality.
” It is essential to set the record straight and address the inaccuracies presented by the union.We urge stakeholders to desist from spreading misinformation that undermines the efforts towards quality assurance in the iron and steel industry.
“As SON remains steadfast in its commitment to safeguarding consumer interests and promoting economic development, we call for constructive engagement and cooperation from all stakeholders to address challenges effectively.”
“First, the Standards Organisation of Nigeria vehemently rejects the assertion that SON has been lax in its regulatory duties. “On the contrary, SON has been proactive in implementing measures to ensure that only products meeting the required quality standards are allowed into the market.
Our efforts have led to significant strides in curbing the proliferation of substandard iron rods and steel products,” SON said.
Bolaji noted that “the suggestion that iron and steel distributors are mere victims in this scenario is disingenuous. Credible findings indicate that distributors themselves have been implicated as key players in the dissemination of substandard products.
“There have been instances where distributors exert pressure on manufacturers to produce substandard goods for their selfish gains, thus perpetuating the cycle of substandard products in the market.”
The standard organisation cited the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed by an association of Steel Manufacturing companies (STEELMAN) to form a voluntary self-regulatory team in February, 2024, under the auspices of SON, which underscored its commitment to quality assurance.
It described the MoU as a “the self-regulating system adopted by these companies, in collaboration with SON, demonstrates a proactive approach towards ensuring compliance with national standards.”